10 artists you might not have heard of but are actually awesome

We know you’re busy as a bee just trying to do you so we made this list for you to freshen up your playlists with.

It includes local and international acts from all genres so that there’s something for everyone from Hip-hop fans, to indie rocks and pop music lovers.

1) John Wizards– What’s funny about our first band is that they’re more popular in Europe and America right now than they are in their native land, South Africa.

That’s right!

The band that is lined up to play at Glastonbury as part of an uber successful world tour on the back of their amazing EP entitled Muizenberg don’t get much radio or press attention but they do deserve it.. Just take a listen to them if you like Freshlyground or if you enjoy afro pop with an indie twist. See why they are the type of ear worm making band that we can’t get enough of below:

2) Blood Orange– This one-man-band based in New York sets the type of mood that lovers of Prince and old school funk will know and love. The man behind it named, Dev Hynes, was born in England and has written for music heavyweights like Florence and the machine and the Chemical Brothers.

With this project he creates tracks the often have two part vocal harmonies with an infectious beat. Give him a go here:

3) HAIM – You’ve probably already figured out, by our double inclusion of this band of sisters on our countdown of 11 covers, that we adore them. But ICYMI, they take a multi-layered approach to guitar-driven melodies with soft lead vocals that will have you dancing from here to next week. Listen to them if you like Fleetwood Mac, Sheryl Crow or Lorde.

4) Angel Haze – You know that friend with all the opinions that you’re dying to say but don’t have the courage to? Angel Haze is that friend. She’s like a modern day MC Lyte, listen to her if you like Macklemore or Iggy Azalea. She knows how to craft a rhyme as well as beat.

Check out her single with Chandelier swinging superstar Sia Battle Cry :

5) Brooke Candy - We like our women like we like our high-school diaries: thick in the middle and with a lot of intense feminist leaning feelings.

JK, but Brooke definitely doesn’t hold back though. She has the swagger of Kanye with the aggression of DMX all wrapped up in a tiny body with a long blonde weave (sometimes). Listen to her if you like your rap grimy. Like if early Eminem had 10 Red Bulls. WARNING : THIS VIDEO CONTAINS VIOLENCE

6) Chance the Rapper - Sure most tweens know Chance from his guest spot on Justin Bieber’s recent track Confident but he’s WAY more than that.

He embodies the new age of male rap incorporates more inter-textual references and catchy sung choruses. Listen to him if you like Drake’s new album :

7) Keko - This 26-year- old Ugandan born rapper sounds like a juiced up version of Toya Delazy. She offers that fun carefree hip-hop feel that that puts a spring in your step. Take a look and listen to her if you want to smile :

8) Lykke Li – There are those singers who just give you goosebumps from the first note you hear them hit and this Swedish born beauty is one of them. You can hear on the soundtrack for the summer blockbuster The Fault in Our Stars. Peep her latest gorgeous video here :

9) St Vincent – 80’s synth-pop and big hair fuse to make this hit maker from America who has recently caught the world’s attention with her creative live performances and out-of-this world music videos.

She sounds like Wham! And early Kylie Minogue had a baby. If you enjoy dancing to beats that are better than most bubblegum pop out there.

10) The Dollfins – We are book ending our favourite local bands with this punk-tastic trio. They have a female lead singer that we’re a little bit afraid of but would like to buy a beer all the same.

Listen to them if you enjoy Alkaline Trio or fast Fokofpolisikar. These Porpoise loving muso’s live show is what really hooked us. They have more energy than a 5-year-old on a sugar rush and that’s a good thing.

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